Haley Stevens: “Yesterday during consideration of the defense appropriations bill, the Senate adopted my amendment allocating an…”

“Yesterday during consideration of the defense appropriations bill, the Senate adopted my amendment allocating an additional $11,500,000 in Air Force aircraft procurement funds for modifications to B-52 bombers. I want to explain the source for these funds. In reporting out its version of the fiscal year 1997 Defense Appropriations Act, the committee added operations and maintenance funds to maintain the current force structure for B-52 bomber attrition reserve aircraft. My amendment allocated funds from within the aircraft procurement account to modify these aircraft. These modifications are required to maintain the combat effectiveness of these aircraft should they be called upon to fly combat missions. The funds for the bomber modifications are to be offset by a decrease of funds allocated for the F-15 fighter data link modifications in the same appropriations account. The fighter data link funds are excess to program requirements due to a delay in a projected contract award. The fighter data link program remains fully funded for fiscal year 1997.”